REMEMBER - YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!

The 2010 Mullady Family Reunion is again scheduled for

the SECOND WEEKEND OF AUGUST, 2010. 

The actual dates are August 13th (yes, Friday the 13th) through August 15th.  I hope that date agrees with most of you.  The past reunion was held on the second weekend of August, and that seemed to work out for most everyone.

We are in the early planning stages right now, and working on a menu for the weekend.  I have emailed many of you in order to obtain the 'likes' and 'dislikes' of your individual family members, as well as any allergies to any specific foods. 

As most of you already know, my brother Pat has volunteered to host the 2010 Reunion.  He lives approximately a mile southwest of dad and mom's place, so there shouldn't be a problem of anyone getting lost finding his home.  I'll have directions posted on this site prior to the reunion itself.  For that weekend, we'll have signs posted so there shouldn't be any 'missed turns'.  I'll also post an up-to-date weather forecast as the time draws near, as well as motel information
and contact phone numbers.

Since Pat has recently built an additional garage (4-car garage), there should be
plenty of room for all family members and all events regardless of the weather.
He has invited all 'campers' to camp out that weekend as he has a huge yard with
ample space for however many campers/tents show up, with enough room for all the usual  games PLUS a ball diamond for the kids!  He's gone so far as to provide his other garage for some more comfortable seating and airconditioning for those who depend on those for comfort.  He's having a ramp made so there's no steps into the house, so those family members who might be considering steps a problem can rest easier knowing that problem won't exist!

Since there are some of us who aren't able to walk a great deal, but who may wish to play croquet or horseshoes, or want to watch the kids play ball - we're arranging some transportation via golf carts.  We'd like to eliminate any draw-backs or reasons to worry about missing out on any of the action.

For those of you who thought dad's place was in the midst of 'Amishville' - you haven't seen anything yet!  Every one of Pat's neighbors are Amish!  These neighbors make and sell all sorts of things from baked goods to furniture, so if you're interested in 'shopping' while here - that's not a problem either.  One neighbor has volunteered to bring a huge kettle and make some home made
potato chips - something many have never witnessed. 

The 'traditional hayride' is included in the plans.  We're hoping also to have the red cart and team of horses that was at the 2007 Reunion.  As you know, we lost Duane Shirk this past year, but we're hoping that his girlfriend Lisa will attend - she has an 'open invitation' - so since the cart and team belong to her - that shouldn't be a problem.  We'll have another couple of ponies here for the kids to ride - and maybe even a horse for the 'big kids' we sometimes refer to as 'adults'.  So be ready for some serious 'horsing around'!

For all you avid (and not-so-avid) golfers - we can call in for some Tee-Times at the Kenton Course as long as we know in advance how many plan to golf.  I'll be reminding you well in advance so we can have an accurate number.  I'll be sure to post the current cost for golfing online, so check back to this page. You've got a YEAR to make that decision, so don't feel pressured!

Something we've not had before, but think it might be of interest is some scrap-booking during part of the reunion.  I'm setting up someone from individual family that is represented: Marie, Nodie, Agnes, Ed, etc - to collect and mount photos on a selected number of pages, bring those pages along to the reunion, and combine all the pages into one large and complete Mullady Photo Album.  Pat suggested
that we then set a time that some of the gals who are experienced in scrap-booking, head up the process of finishing the pages, adding the weekend photos as pictures are taken.  Pat's philosophy (I know - doesn't seem those two words belong in the same sentence) - is it will allow those with shared interests and talents
to work together while getting acquainted/re-acquainted with one another.  (Sometimes he's just brilliant!)

Another thing in the works is a Family Video.  Here again, it will require some of the family's most talented photographers to combine efforts in taking pictures and/or video during the reunion.  When those pictures/videos are added to what should be an all-but-complete collection of photos and music, a completed video should be
available to those interested in watching and/or owning one of their own - by Sunday at noon.  There will be more posted on that later as we'll need some pictures mailed or emailed SOMEWHERE in time to begin the 'movie' on the computer.  I know that Pat (Tighe) Bianchin has GREAT experience in this - so Pat - we're counting on YOU to lead us on this endeaver!

This year we're also forming committees, mostly made up of 'the locals', so everyone has the opportunity to be involved.  As a matter of fact, we're holding out first 'meeting of the minds' on the SECOND SATURDAY OF THIS AUGUST!
Areas we're forming committees on include Communication, Finance, Purchasing, Decorating, Menu, Adult Activities, Kids Activities, Entertainment and a few more.  This early planning should help the weekend run much more smoothly
with less individual work - although there's always been plenty of help offered by so many in the past.  Heading into it with a solid plan of action on all 'fronts' though will be helpful.  If there is any area(s) in which YOU are interested in helping out, let me know.  I'll post the Committee Chairpersons online once we establish just who they are!  Feel free to express interest in more than one area - I'm real sure you'll be welcomed and, believe me, NO ONE will be turned away!

The cost of the reunion isn't 'set in concrete' just yet, but we're kicking around the idea of $10 per adult (16 and up) and $5 for kids 10 through 15 with all kids below the age of 10 being free.  Remember - that fee is for the ENTIRE WEEKEND!
We'll have the usual Friday Night Hotdogs/Chips/Baked Beans, Saturday Donuts/Coffee/Juice, Saturday Noon Cold Meat Sandwiches/
Chips/Baked Beans/Potato Salad, Saturday Night Supper (in the planning stage), Sunday Morning Donuts/Coffee/Juice, and Sunday Noon leftovers for all those who can be here.

We'll be tearing down the tents, loading up and delivering the tables and chairs, cleaning up the grounds, and dividing up the leftovers - so don't think for a minute you'll be asked to leave early!  All hands are welcomed!

The fee also covers all the prizes/awards (mostly for the kids), things such as Bubbles for Blowing, Apples for Bobbing, and Kool-aid/Lemonade/Iced Tea/Paper Products/Trash bags/Postage for Mail-outs, Toilet Paper and the inevitably beautiful Port-a-Johns. 

What that fee does NOT cover is whatever else you want to drink.  So pack up a cooler with ice and your favorite beverage and know the rest has been taken care of for you.

We're letting the price of the fee to be known early so we're all got plenty of time to save up and free up whatever it takes to make attending a possibility.  That's less than a dollar a month per adult - and less that half THAT per paying child.  We won't need the money to be paid until sometime in June of 2010.  I'll send out more information of that later.  Just wanted to give you all  a 'heads up' on what to expect. 

THIS PART IS STICTLY AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE:  I've gone online and designed a Mullady Reunon Tee for anyone interested.  IF we have enough orders, we can have the shirts delivered to Pat's place so they are ready for everyone to wear on Saturday.  We only need an order of SIX, so I doubt we'll have any problem meeting that criteria.  As far as I can see, they will cost approximately $17 each - so if you're interested in one - you can place your order within the month of the reunion.  If the $17 is more than you'd like to invest, that's fine.  OR if anyone can come up with another less expensive place to order from let me know. 

NOTHING is decided - just floating around ideas. 

There are also some Coozies - also kelly green - I've designed that match the Tees.  The coozies can be bought without prior orders and purchased during the reunion by anyone wanting one (or more). 

Minimum order quantity is 100, so there will be plenty for the 2010 Reunion, and maybe some will be available for the following reunion also.  On the designs I've created, there are no dates - on the back of the kelly green shirt is 'Mullady Reunion', and a white/green shamrock appears on the front.  That same Shamrock and lettering appear on the coozie. 

I'll post the link online so that you can check out them both.  I'm thinking the coozies can sell for $3 each, which isn't bad at all by comparison to others I've seen.  Whatever money is profited from the sale of the coozies can be placed in the bank account to go toward the next reunions.  Last year we ended up with a balance of $115, which is mostly due to some of you donating extra funds beyond the set cost.  What would be wonderful is to be able to EVENTUALLY have a reunion without ANY cost at all - but paid for by the funds that can build up in the account. 

We can discuss that option later.

If you have any questions regarding the 2010 Reunion, email me at mullady_clan@yahoo.com. 

If you have an suggestions
or ideas - email them also. 

Be sure to clear your calendars for the 13th through the 15th of August, 2010 and plan on attending!  Remember camping is an option - locals and non-locals alike.

Hope to see you then!

Thanks - Christy